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T.J.’s Notebook: Kelby Watt’s Crazy Summer

The story of Kelby Watt this year could be billed as a young driver navigating their way through the sprint car ecosystem down an unexpected, winding road through the 2024 season using an extraordinary amount of persistence that led to unexpected opportunities.

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Steve Smith (right) and Max Stambaugh (Center) with family and crew in victory lane at Tri-City Motor Speedway earlier this season. (Jim Denhamer Photo)

Great Lakes Edition: Smith and Stambaugh’s Path to Becoming a Force on the Michigan Sprint Car Scene

One can make a strong argument that driver Max Stambaugh and car owner Steve Smith have become the sprint car team to beat on the 360-sprint car scene in the state of Michigan. In an era with as many good car owners and teams that are currently participating, the Smith/Stambaugh combination has been on quite a run over the past three years.

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Rico Abreu (#24) racing with Carson Macedo (#41) Thursday at Knoxville Raceway. (Mark Funderburk Photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Top Young California Open Wheel Talent Choosing Winged Sprint Car Racing

T.J’s commentary on how there has always been great west cost talent in the short track world, but they are choosing to stay in the winged sprint cars longer rather than jumping to another division to get noticed.

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Seeding the 2024 Knoxville Nationals: The Results

Check out how everyone faired from the pre-race seeding for the 2024 Knoxville Nationals.

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T.J.’s Takeaways from the 2024 Knoxville Nationals Finale

Finding more superlatives for Kyle Larson’s talent, why I’m excited about all the young stars that are running well this week, and why I feel the Knoxville Nationals A-Main on Saturday night needs to start 28 cars.

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Donny Schatz (15) and Logan Schuchart (1S) (Serena Dalhamer photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Lucky and Good is a Tough Combination to Beat

The theme of the Knoxville Nationals in 2024 could end up being, “I’d rather be lucky AND good”.

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(L to R) Todd Carlise, Cole Macedo, and Wayne Johnson. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Macedo and Johnson’s Journey to Pairing Up for the World of Outlaws Tour

A random need for a car ride and eventual dinner in February eventually turned into a dream opportunity for Cole Macedo over the summer to join the World of Outlaws tour full time for the 2025 season. That dinner along with other circumstances eventually opened the opportunity for Macedo to live out his dream of being on the road full time sprint car racing.

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T.J.’s Notebook: Giovanni Scelzi in Prime Position to Contend for Elusive Crown Jewel Victory

Giovanni Scelzi has put himself in position to be in contention for winning one of the biggest sprint car races in the sport. It’s a place Scelzi has been in before sitting on the pole for the Knoxville Nationals in 2021 and leading the Jokers Jackpot earlier this year at Eldora Speedway before crashing out of the feature.

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Sheldon Haudenschild (#17) racing with Anthony Macri (#39). (Mark Funderburk Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways from the Opening Night of the 2024 Knoxville Nationals

After an unusual first night of racing to open the 63rd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s, here are my takeaways from Wednesday’s program.

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T.J.’s Notebook: Seeding the 2024 Knoxville Nationals

The daunting endeavor of seeding the entire Knoxville Nationals field was so much fun last year, the decision was made to do it again in 2024.

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By the Numbers at Knoxville: Wednesday or Thursday, Does it Matter?

T.J.’s annual dive into some of the numbers behind the Knoxville Nationals looks at the pair of preliminary nights over the past three seasons.

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Kasey Jedrzejek during the 2024 Kings Royal. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

Great Lakes Edition: Jedrzejek Hopes to Carry Over GLSS Success at Knoxville

Kasey Jedrzejek comes from a family with deep roots in supermodified racing in the Ohio region. Just a handful of years ago Jedrzerjek was not even that familiar with the ins and outs of dirt track racing. This week the 19-year-old driver from Lagrange, Ohio is headed to the biggest event in all of sprint car racing to compete in the 360 and 410 Knoxville Nationals over the next 10 days.

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Teammates Corey Eliason (#8) and Aaron Reutzel (87) are both entered in the 360 Knoxville Nationals this week. (Mark Funderburk Photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Star Studded Field Competing in the 360 Knoxville Nationals This Week

The 2024 edition of the 360 Knoxville Nationals schedule to start Thursday at Knoxville Raceway appears to have drawn one of the stronger entry lists in recent memory for the event. Multiple factors in sprint car racing have created an opportunity to see some names competing we typically would not see until the 410 Nationals.

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Darin Naida in victory lane with the Chuck Wilson's family after winning at Butler Motor Speedway in 2023. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

Great Lakes Edition: Atmosphere at the Chuck Wilson Memorial is a Fitting Tribute

One of the best local races of the 2023 season takes place again this Saturday at Butler Motor Speedway when they host the Chuck Wilson Memorial and Legends Night. The event turned out to be a celebration for Wilson, a standout racer from the Toledo, Ohio area that was multiple time feature inner and track champion at the high banked 3/8-mile oval, and a gathering to reminisce about the over 60-year history of racing at Butler.

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Cody Jacobs stands with David Gravel atop the throne after winning the 41st Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Cody Jacobs Collects Crown Jewel Win as Crew Chief in his Home State

Cody Jacobs spent a lot of time growing up around Eldora Speedway. Saturday night he stood atop the throne with his driver David Gravel in victory lane after winning the 41st Kings Royal.

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